The sharp decline in the value of Venezuela’s currency has been one symptom of its economic crisis.

It’s in the midst of the world’s steepest recession. But, for some of Venezuela’s neighbors, the downturn has presented an opportunity.

CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs reports.

Venezuela is a home to some of the world’s best sailing conditions, but hardly any sailors.

That makes training for Jose Vicente, who will be representing his country in the upcoming Olympics, tough.

He and his coach, have to imagine all the other boats he will be competing against.

The starting line usually crowded with up to sixty vessels that is a particular problem.

“It’s basically the most challenging part of my training, because I can work in everything else on my own, but I don’t have other people to compare the starting line,” Jose Vicente Gutierrez, Olympic Sailor said.

So why does Venezuela, with its year-round ocean breezes and warm weather, have so few sailors?

There are two reasons for Venezuela only has a few sailors. One is the price of gasoline there. It is the worlds cheapest, so many yachtsmen take the easy route and have motorboats.

The other reason is the state of the Venezuela economy. This country is in the midst of the world’s steepest recession. So anything that needs to be bought in dollars is becoming unaffordable.

Jose Vicente has received only minimal support from the government for his Olympic bid.

Sailing is about adapting to constantly changing, unpredictable circumstances. Jose Vicente in Venezuela has had to do plenty of that.

And, if he does achieve a medal, maybe one day there will be a few more sails out on these waters.